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Pets and Produce Don't Always Mix

As a pet owner, you need to be aware of what your pets may and may not eat. A lot of pet owners are unaware of the potential dangers lurking in the produce section of the grocery. Certain seasonal fruits can be harmful, and potentially fatal, to your pets.

Citrus is a wonderfully refreshing fruit for people, but did you know that the peels, fruit and seeds can be harmful to your pets? Citric acid, limonin and other volatile oils are found in lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits. They can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. Be sure to wash your hands after handling such fruit, and don’t feed them to your pets.

Apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, and other pitted fruits are also a wonderful treat for people, but we don’t eat the stems, leaves or seeds. While the fruit meat may be a treat for your pets, the other parts can cause serious issues. Pitted fruits contain cyanogenic glycosides in the stems, leaves and seeds. Allowing your pet to consume them can lead to cyanide poisoning. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shock, and even death. The more severe effects are typically seen in grazing animals after very large amounts have been ingested.

As a pet owner it’s always a good idea to be aware of plants that may be available to your pets, and to make sure that potentially hazardous species are not accessible to your pets.

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